I'm getting fucked off waiting for a decent manual E92 330d to turn up so started looking elsewhere for a possible replacement for the Zed.

This lead me to looking at a 2.0d Scirocco that quickly lead to the 2.0 petrol Scirocco R . Whilst not saving me quite as much as the more frugal diesel variant I do like the look of the R and might help soften the blow of selling my beloved Zed .

So, anyone got any good or bad experience with the R, say over the normal petrol 2.0 GT, or is the 2.0d the engine of choice?? You don't see many around which indicates something is putting people off . I'm a complete VW novice so know nothing.

Also, I'd likely go for a manual 'box, but does anyone know if this is a dog or not. The deal would have to be staggering to get me into a DSG box, which i appreciate it's a brilliant box, it's just not for me (before you all start ).

I like them ... and loved that engine in a Golf GTi Edition 30 that I had ...

The Edition 30 is 230bhp so less power ... or it was until I mapped it ! The engine at 265bhp is probably a good combination for the chassis and I would love a go in one.

I miss my mapped Edition 30 (which was probably running at about 280bhp though the mappers RR showed 299bhp).

FWIW I used to get 28mpg where I now get 37mpg in my LCI 330d ... so they are not too bad for a petrol ! Nice smooth engine too. I loved the DSG but have got fed up with manuals so now only look to autos.

It's funny how our opinions differ. The one's I sat in felt very nicely built with good quality materials and with a nice minimalistic layout. also loved the blue back-lit gauges and switch gear on my MK5 GTi. The seats in the Scirocco felt fantastic.

Nearly bought a Golf R instead of the 335 when I was looking to replace the 350Z.

Test drove a 1.4T petrol Scirocco when looking to replace my 350Z. Looked nice, but actually not all that much bigger than the Z (the rear seats I struggled to get into). It had the fancy electronic suspension which did firm up the suspension nicely, but still got it to understeer on a roundabout without trying too hard.

Good looking car though, they had a Scirocco R in the show room which was very tempting....didn't go for the Golf/Scirocco R in the end, just couldn't justify the £31K price tag on what is essentially a hothatch.

Looking back I'm glad I ended up getting the 335 instead of the golf R

I loved mine Rog (Had 2 Both White & DSG) I think they look nice and do attract a bit of attention (Even Andrew quite like the shape I think) Performance wise there fairly quick with reasonable economy 19" look better but make the ride a bit hard although they do have ACC as std not as much torque steer as Matts Golf Edition 30 due to there clever diff later ones have better spec (Leather & BT) DSG seem to be the better sellers other options if your looking at VWs is the Golf R (4wd) or the FWD Edition 35.

Knew you'd be along soon to comment . All sounding pretty positive so far. One thing I'd forgotten is that this is FWD isn't it; bar the QQ+2 I've not driven a FWD since, mmm, 2003 (Christ that's a long time).

The white one looks the bollocks. Black or White are my first choices.

Rising blue is nice. I think they look a bit to much like 3 door golfs in black.

I drove a 2.0tsi recently and really liked it. It wasn't especially quick but it handled well and i thought the interior was a really nice place to be (pre facelift ones are not). It's a car with a coupe feel in terms of driving position etc but with hatchback practicality.

Knew you'd be along soon to comment . All sounding pretty positive so far. One thing I'd forgotten is that this is FWD isn't it; bar the QQ+2 I've not driven a FWD since, mmm, 2003 (Christ that's a long time).

The white one looks the bollocks. Black or White are my first choices.

Don't think there was a Facelift/Model change VW just add a few options over std spec every so often (something like 11 Models had BT !2 Models Had Leather then NAV)
Think you'll have to join one of the forums to get full details
Not been on this one for a while but think there quite helpful:http://www.rforum.co.uk/index.php?PH...d0f1a4f8a96f8&